Windows 7: Novatel Expedite EV-DO Modem Drivers

Hello all,

I have a Sony VAIO laptop VGN-SZ670N/C which has an integrated sprint aircard. Sony offers drivers for windows XP and Vista but either driver does not work with Windows 7.

Apparently the device is a Novatel Expedite EV-DO Modem and Novatel's website explains that OEMs will offer support for this product otherwise we will escalate it to the appropriate group.

Novatel Wireless Expedite® modules

does any one have any suggestions as to how I can get drivers and an application to get this modem to work in Windows 7?

Thank you,

Joseph

Hi jjdemoya and welcome to the forum!

Please try the Windows 7 Driver Solution

Let us know how it turns out for yah

Hello NosferatuX,

Thank you for your quick response I can see this forum is going to provide a lot of great help.

Although this might sound like a complaint, I was hoping not having to restore my hard drive back to vista just to get one driver and then reformating and reinstalling Windows 7.

I am trying to perform a critical review of this new OS, I realize while this is still in Beta phase problems will arrise. But given problems it might just shed some light on what needs to be fixed for the non technical end user.

Thank you for your help,I will keep trying to search for an answer without having to rip drivers from a different OS.

Joseph

You've tried installing the drivers manually I guess?

This is a great forum. I hope you enjoy your stay as I have...

Hello,

the only drivers that I have are the ones that have been provided by sony in a self installing application.

Do you know of any program that will allow me to break apart these installers to see if I can get to the install files individually?

Although that might be a contradiction of what I have just said, I do want to make sure this device works in Windows 7 as well.

Thanks

Hello all,

I have found a built in extractor for windows 7 using just the command prompt. The following is the link that I have found to get the contents of this msi out into a usable folder.

Vista: How to Extract Content from MSI Files | Microsoft Vista | Tech-Recipes

While I now have a entire list of files for me to play with, it would seem nearly all novatel EV-DO drivers are in this msi, none of these specific files work. The device cannot start when I try to force the installation of these drivers.

Does any one have any ideas?

Thanks,

Joseph

There are several ways of extracting an installer package. The easiest way to go about it is to use WinRar or 7-zip. You can just right click on it and extract.

If somehow the installer cannot be extracted like that, you can run the installer then leave it open, now you can go to your temp folder and search for the temp directory where it extracted its files. You can then copy that to save location and use it

From there, you can manually install the drivers

What you're actually searching for is the location of the folder where it contains the .inf files. You use device manager to point to the location of that folder when you do an update driver procedure

Thought I'd share my experience installing Windows 7 RTM wipe and load on my Vaio VGN-TXN17P which was on XP. It worked quite well except it not find my Novatel Expedite modem, and all of the Sony specific Fn keys and hw keys did not work.

Novatel didn't even appear in Device Manager as an unknown device.

After many failed attempts (including physicaly pulling the modem) it turns out the two problems are interelated. Installling the Sony Notebook Control Device Driver for my model from sony.com restored the function key/hw interaction, and with it, the interaction with the wireless on/of switch. After I installed that driver via the sony exe and rebooted, fn keys were back, and it immediately started finding the Novatel and installed it properly.

I had already installed all the Novatel drivers from the sony website with mixed success, and the SmartWi Connection Utility. I don't think the novatel drivers I installed made any difference, it found them online. (Which is what the Windows 7 compat report said it would do in the first place.)

Don't know if this is the answer for everyone, but for Vaio owners, if the Fn keys aren't working too, then this is likely the answer.